Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett hasn't talked much publicly about the team replacing former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan with Monte Kiffin. But Garrett got an opportunity during a video segment that was posted Tuesday on the team's official website.

"We were really fortunate to be able to get Monte Kiffin," Garrett said. "To have the opportunity to have him on staff here to run our defense is really a great opportunity for the Cowboys."

Garrett said when the Cowboys were evaluating their roster at the end of the season they tried to determine if the current personnel could transition into a 4-3 base defense. Once they figured out that it was possible, Garrett said Kiffin became their choice to lead the way.

"One thing I do want to say is that Rob Ryan was an outstanding coach for us the last couple years and he did a great job," Garrett said. "He really helped our defense grow in the last couple years, got better and better and better. He's a great football coach. He's a great guy. His loyalty to me, to our staff, to our football team and the investment he made was really, really special, and something I'm indebted to him for. And he'll have a great future as a defensive coordinator.

"But we wanted to make a philosophical change. We felt like Monte Kiffin could bring this defensive style that we wanted to play to the Cowboys the best way possible."